A series of training sessions with Diversity Works New Zealand have supported New Zealand Police on their journey to being a truly inclusive organisation.
Diversity Manager Guillermo Merelo and Head of Membership Services Mary Haddock-Staniland have facilitated Introduction to Diversity and Inclusion workshops to more than 1,000 members of the country’s police force in the past few months.
The training has been delivered at all levels of the organisation, from the Commissioner and the Executive team though to aspiring leaders and staff members across all branches of the police including the Royal New Zealand Police College.
“Besides being a great introduction to many of the fundamentals of diversity and inclusion, the real gold in Mary and Guillermo’s presentations has been the way they have captured the hearts and minds of our people,” says Strategic Advisor: Diversity & Inclusion Nic Johns.
“We are an organisation that thrives on storytelling. We connect through sharing personal experiences both amongst ourselves, and with the people and communities we serve. These presentations, anchored in real life examples, have shown us the value of these individual experiences, and how we can be stronger as a whole when we make the effort to understand the person behind them.
“This connects directly to our priority to Be First, then Do – that is, to strengthen who and how we are as an organisation and to bring humanity to every interaction. Our partnership with Diversity Works New Zealand gives us the support we need to continue on this journey of growth towards a truly inclusive New Zealand Police.
Diversity Works New Zealand Head of Membership Services Mary Haddock-Staniland says it’s been rewarding to work with the police as they look to create a more inclusive culture and she is excited by the passionate support at senior levels for this important kaupapa.
Pictured above: Tracey Wharehoka, Superintendent Scott Fraser, Mary Haddock-Staniland, Guillermo Merelo and Inspector Chris Kerekere
